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Basic Research Concepts (Sciences)

About This Guide

This guide explains common concepts and skills you need to know in order to understand and complete your college writing assignments in science-based courses. The topics are based on what students ask about most often.

  • Peer Review - What it is and how to identify a peer-reviewed article.
  • Primary vs. Secondary Sources - What a primary scientific source is, what a secondary scientific source is, and how to tell the difference.
  • Accessing Information - Learn the typical process for accessing online articles and books once you've discovered them.
  • Basics of Citation - Learn the basics of citing in any citation style.

Two students with papers and a laptop working together in the library.